wading depth
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 04:50
ThreadID:
44185
Views:
3611
Replies:
11
FollowUps:
12
This Thread has been Archived
Lawrence
What determines the wading depth on a factory 4wd? For instance the gu is rated at 700 mm and the gq at 600. Whats the difference?
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 07:21
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 07:21
Hi
Lawrence,
Vehicle manufacturers don't want owners coming back with a problem caused by wading and claiming that it be fixed under warranty so they are very conservative with their 'limits'.
They also don't want it to become a safety issue. If you are lightly loaded it often comes as a surprise to owners just how easy a vehicle can float ! (usually the back end first). If your vehicle starts to float you loose traction and can end up drifting down river - not a good look, possibly with disastrous consequences ! So, to avoid litigation the manufacturers seem to choose a wading depth that you can't argue with. The vehicle MAY be able to cross a deeper river but don't blame the manufacturer if it ingests water into the engine, diffs, gearbox, wheel bearings etc. or floats off down river as they have plainly stated in the owners manual that you should not have been driving in that depth of water.
In my experience the average 'recommended' maximum is about half wheel height.
AnswerID:
232676
Follow Up By: Leroy - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:10
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:10
'In my experience the average 'recommended' maximum is about half wheel height'
You're no fun!
Leroy
FollowupID:
493554
Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:58
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:58
Yep, you are right Leroy but the question was what determins the recomended wading height and I reckon the answer is based on legal worries rather then practical considerations.
FollowupID:
493564
Follow Up By: Member - Arkay (SA) - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 08:49
Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 08:49
Wading depths may be O.K. for what I call splash-and-dash. No good for wide rivers, with or without fast flowing water e.g Pentecost, Durack.
FollowupID:
493737
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:42
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:42
Quite a few fourbies seem to have a wading depth specc'd at 700mm or close to it.
I take it as the point where water would enter the air intake - a complete disaster in a diesel of course...... the alternator on
mine would get wet before 700mm, but maybe not while 'charging' through the water ....... a
snorkel adds about a metre and the big bonus is cleaner air resulting in fewer air filter
services. I reckon a small tarp on the front for the vitals, plus the
snorkel is a good plan.
AnswerID:
232691
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 13:38
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 13:38
More like the top of your diff breather which is approximatly tyre hight.
interestingly i am fairly sure the old bravo/courier had the highest MWD
FollowupID:
493612
Reply By: pepper2 - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 10:50
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 10:50
I had a new disco once after about 3 months got a survey fron LR,sent it back complaining that water came inside soaking carpets,LR replied advising wading depth is below floor height....ooopps
also discos used to require a WADING plug to be fitted in timing case cover plus another plug to be fitted in bottom of gearbox,but interestingly they were not supplied with a new disco you had to buy them seperately....
AnswerID:
232707